Frequently Asked Questions

How does the institution make a decision on the operational status of the university?

A monitoring committee, comprised of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Safety Coordinator, Chief of staff and Associate Vice President for Operations and the Vice President for Business Affairs will make necessary recommendations to the President as needed for any operational changes necessary.

Where is the COVID-19 Testing Center?

• The Covid-19 Testing Center (“Testing Center”) is located in Portable 101B.
• Operating hours beginning January 3, 2022 will start at 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. due to weather temperatures expected in the morning.
• Monday (other than January 3, 2022) to Friday 9 A.M. to Noon and 1 P.M. to 4 P. M.
• Note testing center closed during lunch hour 12 pm to 1 pm
• The Testing Center provides PCR testing utilizing a self-administered shallow nasal swab for both proactive and reactive testing.
• The testing center will concentrate primarily on reactive testing beginning January 3, 2022 until January 7, 2022 to primarily allow employees that will be working on campus an opportunity to test. Testing will be by appointment only and to register use https://book.curative.com/sites/5070. If currently experiencing COVID- 19 symptoms refrain from coming to campus for testing, consult your medical provider.
• Students living in Housing for Spring 2022 will receive instructions on mandatory testing location and requirements from Student Success and Engagement office.
• In the event of exposure the general guidance is not to test until day 5 after exposure and remain in quarantine for the 5 days prior to testing.

What can I expect from A&M-SA COVID-19 case management?

1. Within approximately 24 hours of a report being received, an A&M-SA COVID-19 Case Manager will conduct a shortened version of contract tracing to measure the impact to our campus. You will be asked about people who you have had contact with, places you visited on campus, symptoms, and possible exposures.
2. Once this information is gathered a decision is made of whether a 10 day isolation, quarantine and the date of your possible return to campus.
3. You will receive a number of letters from Human resources throughout the duration of your isolation or quarantine timeline; your supervisor will be notified if you are required to refrain from coming to campus.
4. For more information about the case management process you may contact Rita Arredondo at x 2028 or by email.

What do I do if I exhibit COVID-19 Symptoms while on campus?

1. Required Step: Contact your supervisor/Department Chair to disclose your situation and what help you may need to cover classes as appropriate
2. Required Step: Collect your belongings and prepare to leave campus
3. Strongly Recommended Step: If not opposed to seeking testing, visit the on campus COVID-19 Testing Center found in Portable 101B to complete PCR COVID-19 Testing
4. Required Step: Report in the online COVID-19 Reporting Portal found at: https://redcap.link/TAMUS_COVID_PORTAL  
   This report initiates the case management process which includes:
   *Contact tracing at A&M-SA,
   *Identifying areas visited on campus that should be sanitized, and
   *Guidance for next steps, in case faculty member will be asked to isolate
5. Required Step: Send necessary communications to students letting them know of changes to class delivery for the sessions being taught, if applicable

How do students report to a faculty member that they have COVID-19 symptoms, had an exposure to COVID-19 and/or are confirmed to have COVID-19?

Required Step: Ask student to refrain from coming to campus and to self-report in the online COVID-19 Reporting Portal found at: https://redcap.link/TAMUS_COVID_PORTAL  for further guidance.

This report initiates the case management process which includes:

1. Contact tracing at A&M-SA,

2. Identifying areas visited on campus that should be sanitized, and

3. Guidance for next steps, in case student will be asked to isolate or quarantine.

Required Step: Report on behalf of the student in the online COVID-19 Reporting Portal found at: https://redcap.link/TAMUS_COVID_PORTAL  This is done in the event the student does not self-report so that COVID-19 case management may be initiated.

NOTE: Once case management is initiated, it will be determined if the student must refrain from coming to campus and letters will be issued to respective faculty members providing the status.

Additional background Information: Online COVID-19 Reporting Portal: https://redcap.link/TAMUS_COVID_PORTAL  

What can I expect from submitting a report in the online COVID-19 reporting portal?

• On Campus COVID-19 Testing Center
• Communication with Supervisor/Department Chair
• Students for Class Coverage and Close Contacts

How do I access the COVID-19 reporting portal?

• The online COVID-19 Reporting Portal (“Reporting Portal”) may be accessed through the A&M-SA homepage by selecting the Community.Safety.TOGETHER widget and choosing “ Reporting Portal ” button or by typing in the following URL into your web browser: https://redcap.link/TAMUS_COVID_PORTAL  
• Employees who test positive for COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, or who have had an exposure to COVID-19 are asked to report in the Reporting Portal. This report will initiate case management.

NOTE: it is helpful for case managers to know whether or not you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 because this may change guidance provided; however, it is your decision to self-disclose or not. Case managers are instructed to be as conservative as possible so each case will be managed as if they are not fully vaccinated unless information provided states otherwise.

What happens when a report is submitted to the online COVID-19 reporting portal?

Laboratory Confirmed Positive Case
In the course of the individual’s recovery, they may be contacted by three (3) separate groups:

1. Investigator at the Texas A&M Health Science COVID Investigations & Operations Center, who will conduct an interview with the individual and provide specific instructions and guidance.
2. A Contact Tracer from the University’s local health authority will the complete contact tracing.
3. A&M-San Antonio’s Case Manager will conduct an interview with the individual to understand any impacts to the campus community, to provide information on available resources, and to establish timelines for being able to return to campus.

Symptomatic and/or Exposure Case
In the course of the individual’s recovery, they may be contacted by two (2) separate groups:

1. An Investigator from the Texas A&M Health Science COVID Investigations and Operations Center, who will conduct an interview with the individual and provide specific instructions and guidance.
2. A Case Manager from A&M-San Antonio who will conduct an interview with the individual to perform a shorter version of contact tracing to understand any impacts to our campus community, to provide information on available resources, and to establish timelines for being able to return to campus.

Where is the on-campus COVID-19 Testing Center?

The COVID-19 Testing Center (“Testing Center”) is located in Portable 101B.

Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 11:59 a.m., and
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

NOTE: Testing Center is closed during lunchtime from Noon -12:59 p.m.

While on campus, students, faculty and staff visit the Testing Center to receive a COVID-19 PCR Test (self-administered shallow nasal swab) for both proactive and reactive testing.

NOTE: For individuals who are fully vaccinated and have an exposure to COVID-19, provided you are not exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, they are able to return to normal activities on campus. If testing is sought, it is recommended to wait at least three (3) days after the exposure to seek testing (5-8 days after exposure would be even better to test because it would provide a more reliable test result since there is an incubation period for the virus to present, if infected).

What is the process for Supervisors/Department Chairs, Class Coverage and Close Contact?

1. In the event that a faculty member is impacted by COVID-19 they are asked to communicate with their supervisor/department chair and make arrangements for class coverage along with sending out communication to students as appropriate.
2. A&M-SA COVID-19 case manager is responsible for notifying the supervisor of the expected time the employee will be away from campus.
3. If close contact(s) are identified, the case manager will initiate case management for those close contact(s).

What can I expect from A&M-SA COVID-19 Case Management?

1. Within approximately 24-hrs of a report being received, an A&M-SA COVID-19 Case Manager will conduct a shortened version of contact tracing to measure the impact to our campus. You will be asked about people who you were in contact with, places on campus you visited, symptoms, and possible exposures
2. Once this information has been gathered a decision is made of whether a 10-day isolation or 14-day quarantine is appropriate.
3. You will receive a number of letters from Human Resources throughout the duration of your isolation or quarantine timeline; your supervisor will be notified if you are required to refrain from coming to campus.
4. For more information about the case management process at A&M-SA, please contact our Risk Manager, Rita Arredondo at x2028.

How is close contact defined?

The CDC defines a close contact as someone who has been within 6 feet of a positive case for a total of 15 minutes or more within 48 hours of illness onset, regardless of whether or not the contact or positive case were wearing a mask.

Under Executive Order GA-36 signed May 18, 2021 by Governor Abbott, universities within the A&M System are no longer able to mandate mask wearing on campus. It is important to be aware of where students sit; this information will be helpful during case management to determine if others will be identified as close contacts during case management.

What resources are available to support students?

The University places the safety and wellbeing of our students as a priority. Across the institution, students are provided resources and services to assist in the pursuit of their academic pursuits including academic advising, technology, dining, disability support services, counseling and wellness, student success, testing and engagement.

A comprehensive list and contact details can be found here.  

For more information, visit tamusa.edu/community-safety-together/students . Dean of Students: DOS@tamusa.edu   or (210) 784-1354 Student Resource Guide Click here.

Where can I submit a question?

“Ask A Question” at tamusa.edu/community-safety-together.

What health and safety steps am I required to take while on campus?

1. Self-monitoring: Take time each day before coming to campus to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and use the Reporting Portal should you test positive.
2. Vaccinations: Students and employees will continue to be informed about community vaccination resources and on-campus opportunities as they occur.
3. Safety: We encourage you to wear a mask when the situation warrants doing so or if you remain unvaccinated. Everyone should wash hands frequently and avoid close contact and large crowds.

What should be done if a student discloses exposure or suspected exposure?

If in person or on campus – 1) Ask the student to immediately leave campus, 2) encourage the student to consult with their medical provider and 3) complete the COVID-19 Report Form through the designated web portal.

What resources will be available for support and information?

1. Community.safety.together. website
2. Text messaging
3. Jag Mobile App
4. What you need to know emails
5. Digital Monitors
6. Campus Signage
7. student resources guide
8. Faculty COVID slide deck
9. “Ask A Question” at tamusa.edu/community-safety-together.

What if I have questions about classroom management?

As typical, if you have classroom management issues follow your normal protocol with your department chair.